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How to Interpret Clouds

Modern meteorologists use a variety of sophisticated tools to accurately forecast the weather. In the absence of television, radio or Internet weather data, lay observers can accurately guess the weather by looking at clouds. Although the presence of clouds is often associated with rain or snow, some cloud formations predict mild, pleasant weather.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the clouds in the sky and estimate their height in comparison to a nearby building of known height.
- 2
  Define the clouds based on altitude. Stratus clouds are the lowest, floating no higher than 6,000 feet above the ground. "Alto" clouds -- either altocumulus or altostratus -- are in the middle range, floating from 6,000 to 20,000 feet above the ground. Cirrus clouds are the highest, floating at 18,000 feet or higher. Cumulus clouds develop vertically, starting close to the ground and building upward to heights above 50,000 feet. Low-hanging clouds usually bring precipitation, while high clouds typically forecast pleasant weather. Clouds in the mid-range often signal thunderstorms later in the day.
- 3
  Examine the clouds' shapes and colors. Stratus clouds have a uniform shape, are gray in color and often are spread across the entire sky. These clouds have little vertical motion and bring light rain or snow. Cirrus clouds are white, long and transparent enough to let the sun and moon shine through, and they signal pleasant weather. Cumulus clouds are cotton-like and grow tall from the bottom up. Tall cumulus clouds with dark bottoms signal thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes.
- 4
  Look at the cloud coverage. If this is too difficult at night, check the satellite images on your local weather channel. Clouds covering the area at night can provide insulation and keep temperatures warmer, but clouds in the sky during the day can block the sun and lower temperatures.

Nature